hi guys!
couldn't resist trying, have stropped the blade on leather another 50 times, making sure i kept the blad spine on the strop, turns out i was doing it (albiet carefully the other way, lifting the blade off and turning it opposite to how it turns when always left in contact) so seems likely i may have rolled the blade inadvertently.
anyway, seems i can now cut arm hair without touching skin, will try a few more passes on canvas now and back to leather and see what i end up with.
thanks so much for your help! will let you know how i get on.
:bow